Combined levies increase City of Pullman’s 2014 budget

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PULLMAN, WA - Earlier this month, Pullman residents passed a set of three levies that will make it much easier for the city to balance the 2014 budget.

Tuesday night, City Supervisor Mark Workman explained that the extra property tax revenue will allow the city to fill vacant positions in the police, fire, library, and parks and recreation departments. Council- member Bill Paul said hiring more police officers should be a priority.

"Because we've seen what happens to cities that have cut down on their police forces," said Paul. "I think Spokane is an example. You've got the drug element, and you've got the gangs."

It'll cost the city less than $500,000 to fill all of its vacant positions next year, but the three levies combined will increase the city's revenue by more than $1 million annually. The city council is scheduled to formally pass a 2014 budget in early December.